Mommy Guilt

[livinlovinlaughin]

I feel like I do not play with my DS enough. Sometimes I get depressed about it and feel like I am missing out on his life. He is almost 2. We still nurse alot for his age so we have lots of cuddle time. We go for walks together. He helps me bake and clean. I teach him things. I get silly with him and make him laugh, just not all the time. We are always together and I feel like I take good care of him. I just feel like I do not know how to play with him with his toys. Am I just having mommy guilt or am I really not playing with him enough? Are my fears right and I am going to have regrets later? It has really been getting to me because when DH is home I see him play with DS. The past couple days DS asks for Daddy all day. I feel like I am not enough fun.
Am I crazy or not a fun mommy?

I would love to do more crafty things with him but I feel like his age is holding me back. Any ideas?

[Abraisme]

This all sounds totally normal to me. I don't 'play' with my children all the much. I make sure they have lots of variety and experiences, but I can't play cars or transformers for very long. I do make sure that my kids have lots of other kids to interact with and play with though, which I think is important.

[crunchy_mommy]

I hate hate HATE playing with toys. Even as a kid I couldn't care less about them. So DH is the one who plays toys with him (not saying I NEVER play but it's just 5 minutes here & there). DH is also the one who plays in the yard with him because I don't like our yard. But I'm the one who will read to him for hours on end, which he LOVES. I'm the one who takes him to the playground or the library or playgroups or local farms every single day, sometimes twice a day. I make sure he gets to do lots of cool things and he has a blast. We laugh & sing songs together and sometimes make up games like pretending we're puppy dogs. I shop the thrift stores to make sure he has a good variety of quality, creative toys to play with on his own or with Daddy.

Yes... I feel guilty sometimes... even moreso when I've been with him all day & just want to go online for an hour instead of reading or playing more... but DH loves playing with him and we each have our strengths & interests etc. so I think that is OK!!!

As far as crafts, DS is only 20 mos and honestly when I try to do crafts with him he'd rather just color. So that's what we do -- sometimes I'll take him to a story hour or something so he can try crafts with less effort on my part. As he shows more interest I'll be more creative with him but for now coloring books and chalk on the easel seem to satisfy his creative urges. You can also try letting your DS rip colored paper (and give him a glue stick to stick them together, if you're feeling adventurous!) Also playdough is fun, easy, and not overly messy if that's what you're concerned about. But if your DS is happy and doesn't seem bored or anything, I wouldn't even worry about it, just enjoy the things you DO do with him.

[Norasmomma]

You know I just went through a phase where I felt badly for not playing enough with DD for much of her age 2-3, but I was pregnant with a difficult pregnancy, sick and tired. YK though it's ok, I also am not one to love playing with toys, it's ok.

To me it sounds like you include your son in much of what you do, really that is what he needs is just interaction, not just playing with toys.

[tjjazzy]

i try not to worry about it. i'm more the hang out, read books, be silly and playful on the couch type. i'm not the get down and play Transformers or knights or Cars. that's why i had 2 boys! LOL. they can play with eachother. their daddy plays more than i do and it used to bug me a lot but it helps knowing that i'm not the only mommy who doesn't play thanks MDC moms!
one day i asked my husband if he remembers his mom playing with he and his siblings. he said no. i asked if that bothered him and he said no. i don't remember my mom playing either but she had some pretty awesome roles otherwise and still does (she does play with my boys though!)

[nukuspot]

We read alot together, go outside, go to the park, go to the store, etc. But play with her toys? Nope. I let her play by herself with them, I never can figure out what she wants me to do with them so I use that 5 minutes to do dishes or something! And I am so not crafty, we've never ever done crafts together. I never even worried about it until I read your post, now I'm wondering???

Also, DD asks for Daddy, grandma, uncle Sky all day. It's just cause they are not there with her and I am as a SAHM, so she's used to me. I don't take it personally!